Kiln car



Aug. 9, 1932. P MEEHAYN I 1,871,070

KILN CAR Filed April 23, 1929 A l H I I Patented Aug. 9, 1932 umre n stares- TION or PENNSYLVANIA KILN Application filed April 23,

The present inventionrelates to the con struction' and mode of operation of kiln cars or trucks such as are employed in moving material to be subjected to heat treatment through a continuous tunnel kiln. In practice a plurality of such cars are arranged in a train which normally fills the kiln and which is periodically advanced a car length at a time to permit additional cars tobe m successively inserted at the entrance end of the kiln by a suitable car pushing mechanism which ordinarily engages the rear car of the train. The forward car of the train is moved during each periodic movement into an exit chamber, from which it is passed externally of the kiln and the material heat treated unloaded. Usually the car moving force 1s transmitted between adjacent cars by having their adjacentends in contact.

In recent years the width of kilns of this type has been substantiallyincreased with a corresponding increase in width and wheel gauge of the material carryingcars. No proportionate increase in the length of the cars has accompanied this increase in car wheel gauge and the ratio of the car wheel base to the wheel gauge is now disproportionately large. By way of illustration and not of limitation. akiln car of the type to which my invention is especially applicable. has a width of 7' 0", a len th of 58. a wheel gauge of approximately 4.2". and a wheelbase of ,31". When a train of such care is periodically moved by pusher mechanism, there is a highly disadvantageous tendency for adjacentcars in the train to be moved out of longitudinal alignment e. for each car to be slightly turned about its vertical axis. This movement results in increased friction between the car wheel flanges and tracksat diagonally opposite points on the car, causing increased wear on the parts and an increase in the amount of power consumed by the car moving mechanism.

The objectv of my present invention isto provide simple and effective means by which adjacent kiln cars can be centered on the supporting tracks and-maintained in longitucinal alignment without requiring any rarer PAUL A. trimaran, or CLEVELAND, onto,

A Assrenoa, BY MESNE asslemannrs, 'ro y SWINDELLDRESSLEB ccnrone'rron, or rir'rsnunen, rEnNsYLvAnrA, A conroaacars.

The various features of novelty which characterizemy invention are-pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For

a better understanding of the invention, however, and the advantages possessed by it, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Of theIdrawing: c 7 i Fig. 1 is a horizontal section through a portion of. a tunnelkiln containing kiln cars embodying my invention Fig. 2 is a vertical section ont-he ofFig.1;'and

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. V

' In the conventional kiln illustrated in Fig. 1, A represents the kiln proper and B, the stationary track rails positioned along the bottom of the kiln chamber A. A plurality of kiln cars or trucks 0 arranged in a train which normally fills the kiln and which is periodically moved longitudinally of the kiln in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 by car pushing mechanism normally positioned adjacentthe entrance end of the kiln. Each kiln car comprises a metallic frame Dforming the bottom of the carrbody and preferably made as a one piece casting of a suitable metal such as semi-steel. The car frame has a rectangular bottom surface form-ed With upstanding side and end marline ginal flanges 'D and D respectively. The

portion of the frame within the marginal flanges is formed witha plurality of upstanding ribs extending transversely and longitudinally of the frame.

In practice the frame is filled with a layer of concrete, on which refractory blocks and girders are positioned. A refractory plat form, on which the ware to be heat treated is supported, is mounted on the girders. Such ware supporting arrangements are now well known in" the art and illustration herein is unnecessary.

At symmetrically arranged points adjacent throughout the length thereof and is arranged to extend into a stationary sand trough (not shown) extending longitudinally at each side of the kiln chamber. The gasseal effected by this arrangement prevents the heated kiln atmospherefrom directly con- 'tacting with the underside .of the-kiln car with consequent deterioration and destruction of the wheels and wheel mountings.- The .underside of the car frame is formed with a depending transverse flange D arranged at the rear end of the car and extending on each side of the longitudinal center line thereof. This flange is relatively thick and inwardly spaced from the corresponding upstanding flange D .As shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, the desirable position of the kiln cars on the track B is withtheir side edges in longitudinal alignment, the load equally distributed on the axles and the marginal end flanges D of adjacent cars contacting with one another. In thisposition of the cars, the ends of adjacent sand seal plates are in contact and prevent the leakage of the kiln atmosphere between the cars. In carrying out the object of my invention I; provide means mounted on the car for aiding in centering the cars .relative toeone .another and maintaining them intheir centered position. In the construction shown such means consist of co -operating devices on each end of the cars and particularly, as illustrated in the drawing, of a projecting-pin or tongue K mounted on the rear end of each car received in a guide box M arranged on the front end of-the succeeding car. j

The projecting pin K is preferably of forged steel and in form comprises an enlarged head portion K and a body K positioned in a. passage D at the centerof the flange D The front end of the head K contacts with the rear side of the flange D and the remaining portion of the head is W tapered rearwardly in height and width. 1' The body of the pin is positioned horizontally in the passage I) and formed with a reduced threaded end K The pin is maintained with its head in contact with the flange D by a nut N on the threaded end K and locked in position by a cotter pin N as shown in Fig. 2. The front end of the pin head is formed with a flat uppersurface K,

which by its contact with-a projecting portion D of the flan e D g prevents rotation of The guide box M, which is arranged to I receive the tapered head of the centering pin, is removably mounted on the front end of each car below the bottom surface of the frame and extends on each side of the longitudinal center, line of the car. The; guide box comprises an inverted channel shaped body portion M, the front end of which is substantially flush with the outer side of the adjacent marginal flange D The passage M formed by the sides of the guide box body is tapered rearwardlyasshown in Fig. 3 -wit'h a taper corresponding to that of the sides of the pin head. The top of the box body is inclined rearwardly at an angle corresponding tothe top surface of thepin head. As shown in Fig. 3 the front portion of each car frame is formed with longitudinally extending flanges D which are spaced apart to receive the guide box M therebetween. The guide box is formed with a pair of laterally projecting flanges M arranged to contact with the front end of the flanges 1D and secured'thereto by cap screws .M=.

IVith the kiln cars constructed and ar-v ranged in the kiln as described, a car is periodically moved into the kiln chamber at the entrance end thereof until its .frontlmarginal flange D contacts with the rear marginal flange D of the rear car of the train. J

During this periodic movement the guide box on the car receives the tapered head of the centering pin on the rear end ofthe last car in the chamber. The centering pin and guide box are so taperedthat an entry of the 1' L pin is possible under all normal operating conditions. Suitable clearance between the top surface of the pin and underside ofthe guide box body top provides for slight varilongitudinal center lines of the cars, any tendency of. the forward car of each pair of adjacent cars to move laterallyrelativeto the rear car of the pair will be prevented by the guide box of the latter holding the projecting pin of the former. ment prevention 1 effect increases with the length of the projecting portion ofthe pin. Lateral movement of the rear car oft-he pair relative to the forward car is prevented by the pin K contacting with the sides of the guide box. In eifect each car in the train, except the end cars, is held in its proper po- This lateral move- 5B5 sition onthe track by the adjacent cars at anism moves the train as a unit.

In operating kllns of this character; 1t 1s its front and rear and the car moving mechcustomary to remove the foremost goods carrying car from the kiln exit chamber mediately after the periodic train movement. Means forthis purpose generally comprise ations in. the heights of the'engaging cars a pulling device adapted to engagethe front end of the car.= Each of the car centering devices described is arranged with means which may be engaged by such pulling device. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3,, a vertical passage K is formed in the head of the centering pin K, the upper and lower ends of the passage being enlarged to facilitate the engagement of the pulling device. The opposite end ofthe car is also provided with means for this purpose, which consists of a transverse pin R. The pin is cast into position between the flanges D .at a point adjacent to and in the rear of the guide'box M.

and the open bottom of the guide box'and tapered sides aid in the engagement of the,

pulling device.

My invention is particularly characterized by-the simplicity and effectiveness'of the car movement preventingor centering provisions disclosed, by the prevention of excessive wear on certain car elements and leakage between the ends of the sand seal plates, by an increase in effectiveness of the car moving mechanism, by the free separation of the centering provisions under tension, and by the low initial and replacement costs of thecentering provisions.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best form of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes maybe made in the form of the. apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims and that in some cases certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure'by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a tunnel kiln comprising an elongated kiln chamber, a plurality of kiln cars movable longitudinally therethro-ugh, under the action of a car pushing mechanism, said cars being formed at their ends with surfaces extending substantially the full width of the cars, the said surfaces at adjacent ends of each adjacent pair of cars being arranged to transmit substantially all of the force through which the cars in advance are moved and to seal the joint between the cars, and means for preventing relative lateral movement of adjacent cars in said kiln chamber comprising cooperating devices at adjacent ends of said cars.

2. In a tunnel kiln comprising an elongated kiln chamber, a plurality of kiln cars having a wheel gaugesubstantiallv as great as the car wheel base and movable longitudinallv therethrough u'n derthe action of a car pushing mechanism. said cars being formed at their ends with surfaces extending sub-' stantially the full width of the cars, the said surfaces at adjacent ends of each adjacent pair of cars being arranged to transmit substantially all of the force through which the carsin advance are moved and to seal the oint between the cars, and means automatically operating to prevent relativelateral movement of adjacent cars in said kiln chamher-while permitting the separation thereof under tension comprising cooperating devices at adj acentends of said cars.

3. In tunnel kiln comprising an elongated kiln chamber, a plurality of kiln cars movable longitudinally therethrough under the action of a car pushing mechanism,said

cars being formed at their ends with surfaces nallyextending surfaces at the adjacent ends; i of adjacent cars. I

4. In a tunnel kiln comprising an elongated kiln chamber, a plurality of kiln cars movable longitudinally therethrough under the action of acar pufshing mechanism, said cars being formed at their ends with surfaces extending substantiallythe full width of the cars, said surfaces, at adjacent ends of each adjacentpair of cars being arranged to transmit substantially all 'of the force through which the cars in advanceare moved and to seal the joint between the cars, .and means-for preventing 'lateral movement of said carsin said kiln chamber comprising a pair ofseparately formed cooperating memv bers having overlapping longitudinally eX- tending surfaces and mounted at the adja cent ends of adjacentcars. j

a 5. A tunnel kiln car adapted to be moved ini a train through a kiln under theaction of a car pushing mechanism and comprising a pair of verticalvflanges extending substantially through out and forming the front and rear marginal portions thereof and arranged in usein pushingcontact along their length with corresponding flanges on adjoining cars, and means for maintaining said car in rigid longitudinal alignment with said adjoining cars while moving through the kiln comprising a tapering guide member at one end of said car, and a member forming a tapering guide socket at the opposite end of said car and in the same horizontal plane as said guide-member, the guide member on each car beingarrangedto fit within the guide socket I on an adjoiningcar. a

o 6. Aitunnel kiln car adapted to be moved in a train through a kiln under the action of acar pushingmechanism and comprising a pair of vertical flanges extending substantially throughout and forming the front and rear marginal portions thereof and arranged in use in pushing contact along their length With'corresponding flanges on adjoining-cars, and means for maintaining said car in rigid longitudinal alignment With said adjoining cars while moving through the kiln compris ing a tapering guide member at one endof said car below the corresponding marginal flange, a member forming a tapering guide socket at the opposite end of said car below the corresponding marginal flange and in the same horizontal plane as said guide member, both of said members being symmetricallyarranged relative to thelongitudinal center line of thecar, and the guide-memberon each car being arranged to fit Within the sides of the guide socket on an adjoining car. 3 j

7. A tunnel kiln car adapted to bemoved in a train through a kiln under the action of g a car pushing mechanism and comprising a pair of vertical flanges extending substantially throughout andforming the front and rear marginal portions thereof in use in pushing contact along their length with corre sponding flanges on adjoining cars, and means for maintaining said car in rigid longitudiguide-member and adapted for. engagement by a; car pulling device. 4 7' 10; Ina tunnel kilnihaving a kiln chamber normally filled by a plurality of kiln. cars, the method of operation which-comprises periodically inserting a car into'said kiln chain ber, automatically centering each car during the.-inserting movement relative to andv in longitudinal.alignment with the last preceding 'car inserted, simultaneously pullingzall of said cars longitudinally through'said kiln chamber, and positively maintaining said cars in rigid longitudinal alignment during the last mentioned movement. r

. [Signed at Cleveland, in the county of Guyahog'a'and State of Ohio, this 19th day of April l PAULA. MEEHAN. I

nal alignment With said adjoining cars While moving through the kiln comprising a taper ing guide member at the rear end of said car below the corresponding marginalflange, a

member forming a tapering'guide socket at the front end of said car below the corresponding marginal fiange and in the same horizontal plane as said guide member, both of said members being symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal center line of the car, and the guide member on each car beingarranged to fit Within the sides of the guide socket on the immediately subsequent car and the guidesocket being arranged to receive the guide member on the I i immediately preceding car. v i

8. In a tunnel kiln comprising an elongated kiln chamber, a plurality of kiln cars adapted to be moved longitudinally through '7 said chamber under the action of a. car'pushing mechanism, the improvement Which com- 1 prises means for initially positioning and maintainingad acent cars in a predetermined relativeposition, said means comprising a stationary pin mounted on one end of one of said'cars and having'an' enlargedflhead portion adapted to'be receivedin a recessed ele ment on an adjacent ear, and a passage formed in said head portion, whereby a pull,-

ing device may be attached.

9. In a tunneljkiln comprising anelongat ed kiln chamber, a plurality of kiln cars adapted to be moved longitudinally through said chamber under the action of'a car pushing mechanism,-the improvement Which comprises means for initially positioning and maintaining said cars inaepredeterminedre lative position, said means comprising a 

